Archive | supervised release

Gill, who pled guilty to making false statements in a health care matter, unsuccessfully challenged two of his special conditions of supervised release. The first, which barred him from “engaging in the business of counseling,” was reasonably related to the need to protect the public, since Gill had in the past falsely represented himself as qualified to provide mental health services, when in fact he was not. The other condition – a requirement that he continue making restitution payments arising from an earlier condition – was likewise proper because it was reasonably related to his history and characteristics…

Terrence Altman had pled guilty to a drug misdemeanor (yes, there are drug misdemeanors), but violated his supervised release by using cocaine. While awaiting sentencing on that violation, he tested positive again. He admitted to that violation as well and, in all, faced a three to nine month revocation range. However, Judge McMahon sentenced him to one year in prison, without giving notice of her intention to upwardly depart.

On appeal, he argued that he should have been entitled to notice of the court’s intention to impose a sentence higher than recommended by the Chapter 7 policy statements. The Circuit affirmed.

The court began by noting that, ten years ago, it had held that there was no right to such notice, because revocation sentences are governed by Chapter 7 policy statements, and these non-binding policy …